Like all businesses social enterprises need access to four types of finance , namely start-up capital (research and development, new project development and future planning); fixed capital (acquiring assets, refurbishment, new buildings and equipment); working capital (early trading and monthly/seasonal turnover) and growth or expansion capital (scaling-up, new outlets, exporting.)

For various reasons, New Zealand has not developed for social enterprises appropriate social financing, investment, finance intermediaries nor a legal lending and investment framework all of which are common in many Western countries.

The Social Enterprise Institute is developing some innovative approaches to solving this dilemma.

If you would like to talk to us about social finance please either contact us by phone or via email or fill out the Social Enterprise Enquiry Form and select the Social Finance option and a member of our team will contact you.

"By gaining greater control over capital we can stop seeking permission to fulfil our mission, approach social issues differently and be far more creative in the way we approach issues such as social housing, indigenous enterprise, health, aged care and employment" (Quamby, CSB Australia)